The Leadership Effect

A study by the Policy Exchange has questioned the impact that head teachers have on raising pupil performance. Based on the premise that a new head teacher will perform differently than the old one the authors found:

- No change in pupil performance between the schools which had changed head teachers and those which had not (within the first 5 years of a new head)
- Teachers have the greatest impact on pupil performance and as the head is usually at greater distance from the pupils their impact is greatly reduced
- The best thing head teachers can do is ensure good teachers

The authors believe that there are problems in head teacher recruitment.

Other commentators state that part of been a good head is the ability to sustain and embed practice, so that it outlasts any leadership tenure, thus good schools will continue to be good even if the leader departs. The authors advocate much greater freedom for schools which fail for 2 years. After been taken over such schools should have curriculum, financial, personnel and other freedoms partly supported by an "advantage premium" of increased funds.